Context of the project to co-create educational programmes in the DRC
Following a request initiated by the Water Projects Implementation Unit (CEP-O) of the Ministry of Water Resources and Electricity of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a structured partnership has been established with WATURA, VSI Afrique and institutions wishing to receive support in developing educational programmes related to water and sanitation. This partnership is being developed in close collaboration with three major institutions:
- University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN)
- National Institute of Building and Public Works (INBTP)
- National Institute of Vocational Training (INPP)
In addition to these institutions, the regional branches of INPP and IBTP are also involved in the project.
These institutions play a key role in training the future technicians, engineers, team leaders, and managers who will be engaged in water and sanitation projects throughout the country.
Visit of the the National Institute for Vocational Training (INPP) in Kinshasa by the WATURA/VSI Afrique
Field diagnosis to co-develop educational programmes
Before developing the educational programmes, an eight-day field mission was carried out by WATURA and VSI Afrique. This diagnostic phase made it possible to:
- Meetings with teaching and administrative teams from 13 institutes and faculties in various cities (Kinshasa, Kikwit, Mbuji Mayi, Tshikapa, Kananga, Luebo)
- Analysis of existing programs and available teaching resources
- Identification of the specific needs of each institution in terms of content, materials, and equipment
Institutions visited included: The Regional School of Water, the School of Public Health, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science and Environment at UNIKIN, INPP Kinshasa, INBTP, as well as regional INPPs and IBTPs across various provinces (Kikwit, Mbuji Mayi, Luebo, Tshikapa, and Kananga).
Visit to the Polytechnic Faculty
Co-creation Workshops for Training Programs
Based on the diagnostic, online co-creation workshops were organized by WATURA to bring together the educational representatives of partner institutes and faculties along with the project’s technical experts.
Thanks to this collaboration:
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Each session (2 to 3 hours) enabled participants to combine local and technical expertise to develop relevant content aligned with the country’s operational realities.
List of the eight professions targeted by the co-created training programmes
Following the online sessions, a week-long in-person consolidation workshop took place in Kinshasa. The aim was to finalize the programs and officially validate the developed training content.
During this visit, WATURA/VSI Afrique also distributed around 30 technical manuals on hydraulics, sanitation, and solar pumping to the partner institutes.
Delivery of technical books to the focal points of the institutes during the programme validation mission in Kinshasa
Coming Up Next: Launch of the Trainer Training Sessions
The next phase of the project will begin in August 2025 with 30 days of training for trainers. The objective is to enable instructors to fully grasp the content developed, both in theory and in practice.
These sessions will initially focus on theoretical content and pedagogy.
Later, at the trainers’ request, practical demonstrations will be conducted in connection with the equipment to be delivered under the project, such as:
- Acoustic leak detectors
- Solar pumping systems
- Electrolyzers
- Concrete mixers
Watura, a key partner for co-creation and skills development in the DRC
This project to co-create educational programmes in the DRC illustrates the collaborative, hands-on approach that Watura takes to meet the specific needs of local stakeholders. By combining assessment, participatory workshops and trainer training, Watura promotes the development of appropriate skills.
Would you like to co-develop training programmes tailored to your needs?
info@watura.fr or call 09 72 14 95 75
Contact us to discuss your projetcs!
Damia Tarmoul Oummad.
